Ever since Tver's last speech, preventing the wizarding world from being exposed, especially avoiding any conflict that might follow, had become one of the Confederation's most urgent internal concerns.
But before they could find a suitable solution, news of You-Know-Who's resurrection arrived, making an already difficult situation even worse for the Confederation.
Now, at last, there was a method that seemed capable of easing both problems without violating the Statute of Secrecy. How could they not be delighted?
Well, not seriously violating the Statute of Secrecy, anyway...
After all, the clause only mentioned a communication channel. It neither required nor explicitly allowed the creation of an operational department.
But that hardly mattered. If it could solve the pressing crisis before them, that was enough for them to overlook a detail like that.
"Is the Confederation going to be involved too? Old bones like us can't run around carrying out missions the way young people can."
In the midst of the harmonious atmosphere, an elderly wizard raised his hand.
"Then replace them with a younger representative willing to do the running around," Tver replied bluntly, despite the old man's gentle tone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what we are facing is a problem tied directly to the survival of the wizarding world. You-Know-Who is not going to give us time to waste!"
"Or are you saying that the Wizarding Confederation managed to keep wizards hidden for three hundred years, but now can no longer protect either wizards or muggles?"
"Now then, does anyone have any more questions?"
He swept his gaze around the conference room one last time.
"If not, then I hereby announce..."
"Ahem." Babajide suddenly stepped up beside Tver and gave him a quiet reminder.
"Sorry, it seems I'm not the one who should be making that announcement."
Tver's face reddened slightly, and amid the teasing applause and laughter of the elder wizards, he returned to his seat looking a little embarrassed.
The speech had gone so smoothly that he had unconsciously slipped into the role of the leader...
"Many thanks to Tver for his speech and proposal. As for the Joint Operations Office between wizards and muggles that he mentioned, we will hold a formal vote on it at the next meeting. Before then, everyone is welcome to discuss any questions they may have with Tver at any time."
Tver had just sat down when he froze. He really had not known that after submitting a proposal, the vote would only take place at the next meeting.
Seeing his reaction, Ya Zhou smiled faintly.
"The Confederation is not going to act just because of one speech. Afterward, everyone needs time to think carefully and consider every aspect of your proposal."
"Then, during that process, everyone's opinions will be gathered together, and a more complete proposal will take shape before the final vote and implementation."
Tver curled his lips helplessly.
To him, those procedures were naturally tedious beyond belief, but for the Confederation, they were absolutely necessary.
After all, they could not just throw every proposal straight into a vote. If they did, the work of the Confederation and the Ministries of Magic in every country would have collapsed long ago.
So he had no choice but to sit patiently and listen as the representatives who followed went up to deliver work reports and the like.
But with his speech setting the standard, everyone was busy thinking about the Joint Operations Office, and even Quentin had lost all interest in finding fault...
The conference room gradually grew more stifling, and Tver took the chance to rest and relax a little.
After all, that speech had taken quite a bit out of him.
"Thank you, Mr. Fawley," Modesty suddenly said in a low voice.
"What?" Tver turned to her in surprise, wondering whether he had misheard.
"I... I'm really grateful that you brought me here, so I could see the real side of wizards," Modesty said with a slightly awkward smile.
"I thought you'd be disappointed, seeing how ordinary wizards really are."
With a hint of happiness, she glanced around the room. Setting magic aside, the elderly people here did not look any different from her.
"On the contrary. My mother and I used to be prejudiced against all of you, but in the end, we're all human beings living on this planet, aren't we?"
Tver gave her a deep look. She had most likely arrived at that thought unintentionally, but even so, she was undoubtedly the only person present who had truly grasped the idea Tver had been subtly planting throughout his speech.
"Yes, we are all human. Ordinary human beings..."
Their conversation did not last long, because another restless young man soon slipped quietly over to Tver's side.
"Heh heh, good morning, Tver..."
Under Tver's questioning gaze, Viktor gave him a stiff, sheepish grin in greeting.
"Go on then. How did you end up here?" Tver asked helplessly.
Sensing there was no blame in his tone, Viktor hurriedly lowered his voice.
"The Bulgarian representative just happened to reach retirement age, and because of the Quidditch World Cup, the Minister felt he ought to make it up to me, so he arranged for me to enter the Department of International Magical Cooperation and be elected as the Confederation's new Bulgarian representative."
Tver nodded in understanding.
The Confederation's work involved communication and coordination with various countries. For anyone aiming to build a career in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, that kind of experience was undoubtedly a major advantage.
"But the problem is, even if Confederation representatives do not serve for life, they still usually work for thirty or fifty years. You don't mind that?"
Viktor spread his hands indifferently. Compared with dry and tedious desk work, he preferred police work that let him show off his abilities and sharpen his combat skills.
"I originally planned to work in a force-based department like the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Being a Confederation representative is just a temporary place for me to build up some experience. Maybe I'll step down in a few years."
"But," he said, suddenly perking up and leaning in with excitement all over his face, "that Joint Operations Office in your proposal, can it arrest wizards like Aurors do?"
"Hm..." Tver thought for a moment. "Actual field operations would still be left to the local Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Confederation representatives would be more responsible for communication and cooperation with muggles, as well as providing guidance on matters related to the Statute of Secrecy."
On the surface, this office looked like nothing more than a straightforward operational department, but to Tver, it was a platform for promoting friendly exchanges between the wizarding world and the muggle world.
More than that, it would lay the foundation for even more exchanges in the future.
Viktor, however, did not possess that kind of lofty awareness. He immediately sagged in disappointment.
"By the way, isn't Britain in complete chaos right now over You-Know-Who? Are you sure that fat Minister will agree to set up an office like this because of him?"
"Fudge won't refuse," Tver answered with certainty.
Did Viktor think all the people he had planted in the British Ministry of Magic were just decoration?
"Besides, this office isn't specifically aimed at You-Know-Who. It just so happens, purely by coincidence, that You-Know-Who was resurrected. Do you understand?"
Looking at Tver's meaningful expression, Viktor swallowed hard. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that coming to work at the Confederation was not going to be an easy assignment.
"I... am I supposed to understand?"
"You'll understand."
With that, Tver turned back around and focused intently on the wizard speaking on stage, as though her remarks about putting flying devices under supervised regulation were genuinely fascinating.
That left Viktor sitting there, scratching at his head in total confusion.
What exactly was he supposed to understand?